“There is a vigorous discussion underway to obtain the necessary votes to pass the bill.”
The Center Square by Brett Davis
In light of the inability of lawmakers to pass a bill this session that would have created a solution for a decision by the state Supreme Court which decriminalized the possession of controlled substances, a possible special session of the Washington State Legislature was called to address the issue.
According to the state constitution the governor may call the legislators into a special session lasting 30 days. The House of Representatives or the Senate can vote to call themselves into a special session by a majority of two thirds.
Recent comments by Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, and some Republican legislators have been urging a special session just days after the conclusion of Sunday’s 105-day legislative session.
Inslee told reporters at the end a bill signing event held in Seattle on Thursday morning that he had been speaking to the leaders of the four caucuses. There are intense discussions going on to secure the votes needed to pass the bill.
The Senate Bill 536 in question would have turned the crime into a misdemeanor but failed to pass by the end of the session.
Inslee stated, “We’ve talked about holding a special meeting.” “I hope we can do this in May.” We’re going try to set a date in the next few days.
According to the Governor, it’s essential that the lawmakers pass the bill.
Inslee stated, “We need to see the Legislature take action.” We should not have cities acting in a sporadic, non-parallel manner. Therefore, we look forward to the further discussions. This discussion must bear fruit. “The Legislature must produce a bill to address this issue, so that we can have a Washington State standard.”
The state’s highest Court struck down in February 2021 the law that made possession of controlled substances a crime punishable by five years imprisonment. The court declared the law unconstitutional, because it allowed for people to be convicted even if they did not know they were in possession of drugs.
Shannon Blake received a pair jeans with a methamphetamine bag in the pocket from a friend.
The state Supreme Court refused to reconsider its ruling in April 2021. The state passed Senate Bill 5476 in April 2021, which reclassified drug possession to a gross misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $125. According to the bill, any first or second convictions made before the ruling will be overturned in a retrial. Defendants would also be referred to treatment.
Inslee passed SB 5476 the following month. He vetoed a section of the bill which would have created a fund for the state to reimburse local governments or individuals who incur legal costs as a result of resentencing based on the court’s ruling.
The drug possession provisions of the bill expire on 1 July, requiring a permanent legislative fix. This was something that lawmakers failed to accomplish this session.
J.T. Wilcox (R-Yelm), who resigned as House Republican Leader over the weekend, spoke to The Center Square in the afternoon on Wednesday.
Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) attached some odds to convening a special session.
The Senate Republican leader stated, “I think the split is 50-50 or 60-40.” It’s still in the middle. The longer it takes, the more cities and counties will say that they’ll handle the issue themselves.
He said, “And as you continue to go, and as cities and counties become more comfortable, the harder it will be for me to convince Republicans to say, “Okay, we are still willing to assist,” especially when the Governor is doing what he’s currently doing.”
Braun claimed that Inslee blamed Republicans for the failure of SB 5536 at a press briefing on Sunday.
Braun stated that he had pitched the idea to Andy Billig, [the Senate Majority Leader] on Monday. If we are going to have a special session given the actions of the Governor, we should call it ourselves.
This article was originally published by The Center Square.
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